On 2013-09-11 11:01, gabbahey wrote:Thanks for the help identifying the mug Trader Tom and Bigbro. I'll post some better pictures of the Witco-esque wall hanging in the Witco thread and check the back again for markings.
gabbahey

Despite the unusual surface markings on the piece...

...there is a possibility that this IS a piece of Witco because it seems to have been carved out of the same material than other Witco pieces: Swamp cedar RAIN GUTTERS. As I mentioned in Tiki Modern, William Westenhaver bought a whole truck load of those cheap, and turned them into abstract art with a few cuts. Best known is this guitar:

...but there were others like this "Nuba Totem" on the left:

On the other hand, some of the Witco copyists actually used to work for Witco and then went into the carving business on their own, so it is hard to say.

Very interesting. When horizontal and not at the extreme angle, it looks like it may be a stylized lizard or creature. That is at least my wife's opinion. It also has some white and blue stone for an "eye."

Well that explains the surface markings! And since the background pattern is also a match, I would say you found your answer. Unfortunately I am away from my archive and will be for some time, but I seem to dimly remember something like this in one of the early B&W Witco catalogues.

Although i have to say i'm not a huge fan of them, i picked up this coconut monkey from the thrift store the other day. I was looking for something else in particular and this caught my eye and is it was only $5 i couldn't leave it there. It's actually a money box. In that little area of coconut that is exposed just above it's feet and below it's hands there is a slot for coins.

Something else i came across at an antique store was this Sepik River? item which i didn't buy. It was only $60 or $65AUS dollars (around $55-60US), which i don't know if that is what you guys would consider as a reasonable price for what it is but to me here in Aus. it seemed fair but unfortunately it wasn't in the best condition.
It definitely looked old but there were several areas where it was damaged either from it being broken or what looked like insect activity, or both. From memory it also was male on one side and female on the other.

I was given this Tiki and I'm trying to see if I can get any information about it. It's about 4" tall, made of some sort of stone or ceramics, and has a small hole in the back of it where it appears it may have been mounted to something. I'm hoping to learn more about this, if anyone has any information please let me know, I'm very interested in learning anything about it. Thanks in advance.

Mugs L-R: Modern China USA-marked on back "DataQuick Five -O rally 2004"(found 2 but resold one before I left the swapmeet), 3 Orchids of Hawaii R-?, and what is listed in ooga mooga as " Minimalist Maori Tiki Mug"

Matchbooks:
Castaways are from Jack London Square, Oakland.

A piece of tapa in the original pegboard polybag, framed:

Pounded copper Solomon islands map:

Shell lamp
Found another one exactly like it, but it was a little pricey...

Quote:

On 2013-09-13 07:25, alittledusty wrote:I was given this Tiki and I'm trying to see if I can get any information about it

Looks real close to this one by HIP:
The eyes, hands, toes, and area under the arms are slightly different. My best guess is yours is an earlier version that had later corrections done on the master to make the pieces cast easier.
Here's the HIP piece's tag:

Snagged this stuff at the Huntington Beach Goodwill
Tommy Bahama mug-was part of a gift pack put out a few years bsack by T B. The rum was not very good and has been discontinued.
Anthurium dish (found two) made by Tropical Clay, Hawaii. Founded 1980,still in business.
George Pasini (Arrow liquor corp.) mcm tiki style decanter. One side white, other side is black.
The glaze on the green decanter/shooters is so heavy that itís hard to see the detail. I suspect itís asian or maybe South American. No makers mark anywhere on the piece.

That b&w decanter depicts comedy and tragedy my friend. I found a pair of mugs with the exact design not too long ago glazed all in brown with no markings. After I looked at them for awhile I realized what they were and ended up giving them away to a friend of mine who is into the theater.(but that doesn't mean you should give your decanter away!